DESIGN

Double visionaries

The duplex is back, and this time the look is sleek, smart and unequivocally modern. But these homes showcase more than contemporary style. They reflect the changing way some Southern Californians live.

The oblong building is split roughly across the middle. Preminger's side has a garage, bedroom and den on the ground floor. Stairs lead to a second-story great room and master bedroom suite. White walls and dark Inca basalt flooring create a cool, minimalist feel. Sliding doors open onto a garage-top patio shielded by frosted-glass panels.

The second unit is slightly smaller and more loft-like. The split-level entry connects to a subterranean garage tucked on the side of the building. Upstairs lie the kitchen and great room with double-height ceiling. Floating metal stairs lead to a sleeping area and bath above. Two custom picture windows, each framed in broad bands of steel, fill the space with natural light.

Whereas other duplexes in this gentrifying neighborhood maximize square footage, Preminger under-built to accommodate her love of gardening.

"For a developer to understand that a garden and open space is as valued as more interior space was a great thing," Wagner says. "This is an incredible example of how we can build a little less, but of a higher quality and still come out positive."

With a few exceptions, her new neighbors have embraced the duplex, however different it may look.

Preminger says she likes her garden of fruit trees and vegetables, but her yard work is often interrupted by passersby commenting on her building. "Not a day goes by," she says, "when someone doesn't stop and compliment the design."

For The Record Los Angeles Times Saturday June 23, 2007 Home Edition Main News Part A Page 2 National Desk 0 inches; 20 words Type of Material: Correction Duplexes: An article on modern duplexes in Thursday's Home section misspelled the name of designer Amit Apel as Amit Patel. For The Record Los Angeles Times Thursday June 28, 2007 Home Edition Home Part F Page 9 Features Desk 0 inches; 17 words Type of Material: Correction Duplexes: A June 21 article on modern duplexes misspelled the name of Amit Apel as Amit Patel. For The Record Los Angeles Times Saturday June 30, 2007 Home Edition Main News Part A Page 2 National Desk 1 inches; 52 words Type of Material: Correction Duplexes: In the Home section, a June 21 article on duplexes and a June 28 photo caption with a letter about the article said a property at the corner of Harper and Waring avenues was in West Hollywood. The property is in Los Angeles, a block south of West Hollywood city limits. For The Record Los Angeles Times Thursday July 05, 2007 Home Edition Home Part F Page 2 Features Desk 1 inches; 48 words Type of Material: Correction Duplexes: A June 21 article on duplexes and a June 28 photo caption with a letter about the article said a property at the corner of Harper and Waring avenues is in West Hollywood. The property is in Los Angeles, a block south of West Hollywood city limits.